Individual Details

Death

A Stanly County man was killed early this morning when he crashed his car while trying to elude police north of Monroe in Union County, authorities say. The N.C. Highway Patrol identified the victim as Michael Ray Furr, 48, of Locust. Troopers say Furr died when his car crashed while trying to turn from U.S. 601 onto Sikes Mill Road. His vehicle hit a median and went airborne, landing in a nearby culvert. Furr died at the scene. The wreck happened about 3:15 a.m., and troopers say Furr was driving about 80 mph when he crashed. Monroe police say the driver appeared to be trying to elude them. According to police reports, officers began following the vehicle when it was on Roosevelt Boulevard (U.S. 74) in Monroe. Police say the driver would not stop and got on U.S. 601 northbound. That's where the N.C. Highway Patrol joined the pursuit. Police have not said why they started following the vehicle, but they say the investigation is continuing.

UNIONVILLE, N.C.- The North Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly accident in Union County that resulted from a police chase. The NCHP tells NewsChannel 36 that the accident happened around 3:15 Friday morning on Highway 601 at Sikes Mill road. Monroe police officers were chasing the car when it crashed, killing the driver who was identified as 48-year-old Michael Ray Furr of Locust. Monroe police said an officer began following Furr because his vehicle was driving recklessly along Highway 74. The officer stopped the vehicle, but when the officer stepped out of his patrol car, Furr sped away. Monroe police say Furr had convictions on his record that include four DWIs and a conviction of involuntary manslaughter in Stanly County.

Michael Ray Furr, age 48, of Locust, N.C., died Friday, May 15, 2009, at CMC Union in Monroe, N.C. He was a member of Berea Baptist Church. He was an auto technician. The family will meet at the home at 208 E. Sunset Dr.. He is preceded in death by his father, John Frank Furr. He is survived by his wife, Mary Beth (Reeder) Furr and his mother Barbara Allen (Benton) Whitley. Two Daughters, Stepdaughter-Rebecca Lambert and husband Ricky of Concord, N.C. Stepdaughter-Charlie Beth Satterfield and husband Larry of Locust, N.C. One Son, Son-Derek Michael Furr of the Home Two Sisters, Sister-Cindy Medlin and husband, Scott of Stanfield, N.C. Sister-Pam Smith and husband Evan of Mt. Pleasant, N.C. Michael's grandchildren were very special to him; Chandler Hutchinson, McKenzie Satterfield and Easton Satterfield. Very special extended family; R.J. and Kitty Sue Furr. Arrangements are being handled by Hartsell Funeral Home - Midland, PO Box 100, Midland, N.C., where the family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday, May 17, 2009. Funeral service will be at Berea Baptist Church at 2:00 PM Monday, May 18, 2009 , Rev. Keith Austin officiating. Interment will be at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Stanfield, N.C.